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BV school in filth and feathers
…as students fall sick from pigeon infestation
Students lying sick in the BV Primary School as a result of pigeon infestation and other health concerns
(Kaieteur News) – A seven-year-old student of the BV Quamina Primary School, East Coast Demerara has been hospitalised, while at least four others have fallen ill as pigeon infestation and other health concerns spiral out of control at the learning institution.
Sounding an alarm over the situation was the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) on Tuesday.
In a public statement, the political group said it has been informed that the pigeon infestation in the classroom and around the compound is severe. “The build-up of droppings and nesting debris makes the classroom unsanitary. Pigeon waste exposes students and teachers to harmful bacteria and allergens daily,” WIN stated. The party even published images of ill students lying on chairs joined together in a classroom.
Parents and teachers alike are now fearful that other students may suffer a similar fate, as for nearly a decade now the school has grappled with pigeon infestation and other challenges which pose a threat to the health and well-being of staff and students.
WIN said there have been multiple complaints to the Ministry of Education, yet the institution remains in an unacceptable condition.
In addition to the pigeon infestation, it was also explained that the school’s washroom facilities are also inadequate. “Teachers sometimes use the washroom in a parent’s home who volunteers to open it for them, or they go home to use their own washroom. This is undignified and unacceptable,” the opposition party argued.
Kaieteur News understands that the school serves 360 mainstream students and 94 special needs students, along with 24 mainstream teachers, 18 special needs teachers, and three cleaners.
WIN claims that maintaining cleanliness is nearly impossible at the institution. The party said parents are even sometimes forced to assist in cleaning the school. Additionally, there are also concerns about the student-teacher ratio, particularly to serve those with special needs who may require individual attention in some instances.
“For years, the school has sought assistance through several channels under the Ministry of Education, yet the conditions remain unchanged. We are calling on Minister (of Education Sonia) Parag to visit the BV Primary School immediately to have these issues addressed,” the party said.
Confirming the reports, a teacher who requested anonymity on Tuesday told this newspaper that she has been working at the school for some eight years. She said the issue has been ongoing for a long time.
“It has gotten worse because the pigeons are nesting, they are hatching. When you clean over the weekend and go back on Mondays it’s like you did nothing,” she detailed. She noted that the mesh that was installed at the school is not “keeping out” the pigeons.
The teacher said that the situation has been reported several times to the education department and other education officials but they have done nothing to address it. According to the teacher, after it was publicly shared by the party leader on Tuesday, she noted that some health officials came to school and assess the situation.
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